How many trees you need to plant to reduce your carbon footprint?

The most important contributor to climate change is carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. When fossil fuels are burned, carbon within the fuel is released in to the air causing earth temperature to increase.

According to an MIT study an average American is responsible for about 20 metric tons of yearly CO2 emissions from energy use alone in a year. On the other hand rest of the world is responsible for about 4 metric tons of CO2 emission per person.

Even the lowest carbon emission communities within US release about 8 metric tons of CO2 every year. Still double the world average.

The Solution

If you like to help reduce carbon emission, the first thing you need to do is identifying your carbon footprint and take actions to reduce it. Simple things that you can do is using public transportation more often and using energy saving light bulbs.

You can also help offset your carbon emission by participating tree planting projects because as trees grow they will soak up carbon dioxide and produce oxygen.

Here is the list of top 10 major cities that has the most population in US and subsequently release the most carbon dioxide.

#10 San Jose, CA

Population:1,026,908

Carbon emission released each year: 8 215 264 metric tons

Trees needs to be planted: 41 076 320

#9 Dallas, TX

Population: 1,300,092

Carbon emission released each year: 10 400 736 metric tons

Trees needs to be planted: 52 003 680

#8 San Diego, CA

Population: 1,394,928

Carbon emission released each year: 11 159 424 metric tons

Trees needs to be planted: 55 797 120

#7 San Antonio, TX

Population: 1,469,845

Carbon emission released each year: 11 758 760 metric tons

Trees needs to be planted: 58 793 800

#6 Phoenix, AZ

Population: 1,563,025

Carbon emission released each year: 12 504 200 metric tons

Trees needs to be planted: 62 521 000

#5 Philadelphia, PA

Population: 1,567,442

Carbon emission released each year: 12 539 536 metric tons

Trees needs to be planted: 62 697 680

#4 Houston, TX

Population: 2,296,224

Carbon emission released each year: 18 369 792 metric tons

Trees needs to be planted: 91 848 960

#3 Chicago, IL

Population: 2,720,546

Carbon emission released each year: 21 764 368 metric tons

Trees needs to be planted: 108 821 840

#2 Los Angeles, CA

Population: 3,971,883

Carbon emission released each year: 31 775 064 metric tons

Trees needs to be planted: 158 875 320

#1 New York City, NY

Population: 8,550,405

Carbon emission released each year: 68 403 240 metric tons

Trees needs to be planted: 342 016 200

How to improve your carbon footprint?

Everyone has a responsibility to reduce their individual carbon footprint, and there are lots of ways to do so. Most people are unaware how critical carbon emission is and how much effect their energy usage has on the environment.

One of the most effective ways to offset your carbon emission is through planting trees. Planting trees improve the natural environment for the benefit of climate, wildlife and people.

If you are one of those conscious people who takes carbon emission seriously you can contribute to tree planting project.

Tree planting is a time consuming and a difficult task. Luckily there are project around the world, which promote tree planting as a way to reduce carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. So you don't need to go out find empty space and plant trees.